By John Goolsby, Prep Sports Editor
IRONDALE – The Pinson Valley Indians (3-5, 2-3) escaped Frank Nix Stadium Friday night with a 28-25 win over the Shades Valley Mounties (4-4, 2-3)
The Indians got on the board first with a Bryan Quates 56-yard interception for a touchdown with 21 seconds remaining in the first period.
Asher Hawkins gave the Indians a 14-0 lead on an 84-yard touchdown run at the seven-minute mark of the second quarter.
Shades Valley’s Steve Brown hit Ji’Quez Daniels for a 40-yard touchdown to make the score 14-7 with 5:51 remaining in the first half.
The Indians took advantage of a short Valley punt and a defensive pass interference call to get into scoring position.
Pinson pushed the lead to 21-7 with 59 seconds remaining in the half on a Dylan Reese to Rico Freeman 15-yard touchdown strike.
Neither offense could get on track early in the third quarter due to turnovers and penalties.
Valley moved into scoring position after Brown hit Armon Goldsby with a 52-yard pass to the Pinson 23-yard line.
The Mounties moved the ball to the Pinson nine-yard line but had to settle for a 26-yard field goal to cut the lead to 21-10 with 46 seconds remaining in the third period.
The Indians fumbled on their next possession, and Valley took over with 11:09 to play.
The Mounties wasted no time getting into the endzone. Brown hit Javien Williams with a 52-yard bomb to make the score 21-16. Brown then connected with Daniels in the back of the endzone to make it a three-point game at 21-18 with 10:59 remaining.
The two teams traded punts, and then Shades Valley drove to the Pinson three-hard line.
With the Mounties looking to take the lead with 5:22 remaining, Brown ran to his left and was stripped of the ball.
Pinson’s Quates scooped the ball up and returned it 96 yards for a score to give the Indians a ten-point lead, 28-18.
The Mounties weren’t done. With 1:32 left in the game, Brown hit Jayden Gilmore with a 32-yard pass for a touchdown. Aguilar’s PAT cut the score to 28-25.
The Indians took over after recovering the Valley onside kick attempt.
The Indians were looking to pick up a first down to run the clock out. However, the Mounties defense held and forced a fourth down, but an official on the Pinson sideline made a phantom personal foul call. The penalty gave Pinson a first down. The Indians were able to take a knee and run the clock out.
The Indians can clinch the fourth region playoff spot next Friday with a victory over Pell City.
A Panther win would most likely send the Mounties to the playoffs.
Shades Valley travels to Clay-Chalkville next Friday.